Outside the NDWAC workgroup review of potential LCR revisions, activity on other potential drinking water regulations continues to be slow in developing. Although the high profile budget showdowns (i.e., government shutdowns and debt ceiling brinkmanship) appear to be behind us for the time being, routine efforts to trim budgets across multiple EPA programs continue to contribute to delays and uncertainties regarding the next steps for EPA’s regulatory agenda.
The next round of proposed regulatory determinations stemming from the third Contaminant Candidate List (CCL3) are overdue. The rule proposal package submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review in August of last year is apparently stuck there for the moment. However, EPA is still expecting a proposal sometime in 2014, with nitrosamines, chlorate and strontium continuing as top contenders for a positive regulatory determination(s).
Efforts to develop the scientific supporting materials for other potential regulations, including perchlorate, carcinogenic VOCs and chromium VI continue, but any proposed regulations are not expected until 2015 or later. AMWA continues to closely monitor all ongoing drinking water regulatory initiatives and will consult with the membership and provide comment as opportunities arise.